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Controlled burning of prairie grass is done to mimic the natural fires caused by lightning on the original open prairies. This helps crack open seed pods so the renewal of grass and flowers continues. If you don't burn it for several years, the flowers tend to diminish in number and brilliance. For more information on burning prairie grass see (www.prairiesource.com.

Articulated Tractor Topic Now Available
Articulated Tractors
Replies 9 Post by Jack in IL

I really like the 955 for my mowing and landscaping applications. My number one consideration is that it has a hydrostatic transmission. I am totally sold on hydrostats for mowing and loader work. If most of your mowing is "open area" with few trees or buildings to contend with, a gear drive will serve you well at a lower cost. However, I think the hydrostatic transmission is a natural fit for most applications of a compact utility tractor. Operator station area has not been a problem for me--I'm 5'11".

New JD 990 model
John Deere Tractors
Replies 10 Post by Jack in IL

An articulated tractor steers by a hinge centrally located between the front and rear axles. The front and rear wheels are the same diameter and both axles pull. This is the concept also used on full-sized four wheel drive tractors that usually range from 250 to well over 400 hp. It is a useful concept for turf tractors because the mower deck is placed out front. In addition to providing better mowing visibility it allows for a much lower center of gravity of the tractor. Thus articulated 4WD turf tractors can operate safely on much steeper slopes than typical compact tractors. The most common articulated 4WD turf tractors are manufactured by Steiner (www.steinerturf.com) and Venture Products (www.venturepro.com).

Who else out there is using and Articulated Tractor
Articulated Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Jack in IL

Some mid-mount mowers are difficult to attach and others (e.g. most JD) are very easy requiring no tools, jacks, etc. and requires only 4-5 minutes to get on or off. When working on hills, the midmount has the advantage of providing additional weight that lowers the center of gravity of the tractor plus mower. JD midmounts are supposed to be carried by the tractor with the rollers and gauge wheels just barely contacting the ground except when passing over ridges or bumps. Some other midmounts depend on gauge wheels to determine cutting height so the lowering of the CG does not occur. It is much easier to mow around trees or buildings with a midmount.

Belly Mower vs Rear Finishing Mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 12 Post by Jack in IL

There is no problem with running full throttle as your dealer and your operators manual suggest. When mowing, set engine speed to keep blade tip speed up for clean cutting--usually 3/4 full throttle or more. In heavy going, full engine speed is best because that is where you get max power. When grading or using the slip scoop, use low range and set the throttle to provide smooth hydraulic response of both the hydrostat and the hydraulics--typically not full throttle. On modern diesel engines you don't have to worry about selecting a "proper" engine speed to protect the engine. Run it where it is needed to make the tractor smoothly perform the job at hand. In most applications, I run between 3/4 to full engine RPM and when mowing on hills I am always at full throttle.

Got my Ventrac now some questions
Articulated Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Jack in IL

The 14 inch distance is measured perpendicular to the furrow wall over to the point of the plowshare. The rear of the landside (the vertical plate that slides along the furrow wall) should make a slight scratch in the wall at its rear. For plows of this size there is normally a means for horizontal adjustment of the hitch. With the right tractor wheels in the furrow with the inside of the rear tire just touching the furrow wall, loosen the adjustment bolts and slide the plow to the right (or left) until the point is 14 inches to the left of the furrow wall (or the inside of the right rear tire). Drive so that the right rear tire is snuggled up to the furrow wall even if this means the front tires are further out in the furrow. You may have to adjust tread settings to make all of this work. Typically, for a 1 bottom plow the tread setting will have to be in the narrowest position. The ideal situation is for the center of the plow bottom to be as close to the tractor centerline as practical. If it is very far off center, you will have to crab the steering wheels to attain a straight line of travel.

Moldboard Plow
Kubota Tractors
Replies 2 Post by Jack in IL

For Category I, the Standard draft link (lower) pin diameters are 7/8" and the top link pin diameter is 3/4". On Cat 0, all are 5/8" diameter. The length of the top link pin required depends on the implement design. Two lengths are in common use and both are available at TSC and similar stores. With regard to the procedure for attaching one side and then the other, this is the normal way of doing it even with heavy implements. After first attaching one draft link, if you can't move the implement by hand to get the other on, get on the tractor, ease it forward or backward and simultaneously lift or lower the 3 point as required to align the ball and pin.

BX2200 3 Point Hitch
Kubota Tractors
Replies 17 Post by Jack in IL

The deck on a 4100 is controled by the 3 point hitch, but on 4200 and up it is controlled by a dedicated hydraulic cylinder under the tractor. This has to be removed when you use a front mount snow blower. Since you are going to be on slopes, the wheels should be set in the widest position for stability. There is only one approved position available with turf tires on a 4100 and it is rather narrow (Overall tractor width of about 48 inches). All others can be set out wider. The wheelbase on the 4200 is shorter than on the 43 and 44. There are some restrictions on combinations of tires, wheel spacings and mower deck sizes that your dealer can provide. Compacts are generally not as stable on side slopes as garden tractors. If you could mow a certain slope safely with a 318, there is no guarantee that you could take a compact tractor and mid-mount mower on it. You might want to invest a couple of bucks in a carpenters pendulum protractor to measure your slope---40 degrees is steeper than most people could walk on. Maybe you could get your dealer to provide a demonstration on your property before you decide between a large garden tractor and a compact tractor.

Looking for Input on JD4200 JD4400
John Deere Tractors
Replies 13 Post by Jack in IL

For Cat 0 the nominal horizontal distance center-to-center of the draft link balls is 20 inches and the mast height is 12 inches. By way of comparison, for Cat I the horizontal distance is 26 inches and the mast height is 18 inches.

Category 0 three point hitch
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Jack in IL

On the 790, the front wheels are 2 position, but the rear wheels are only one position.

switching rear tires right to left on 790
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Jack in IL

Sorry, but I forgot a point. In order for the claw-type quick coupler to engage, it is necessary to raise the hitch straight up to connect to the lower draft pins and the top pin. Some implements do not have completely open access under the top pin. Often there is a gusset or some other structural member welded in there to provide strength to the top portion of the mast. The only choice is to take a torch to it.

Quick hitch by Freedom Hitch
Operating and Attachments
Replies 24 Post by Jack in IL

The H-Beam to which the spikes are attached should be just slightly above the level you are trying to achieve and both rollers should contact. There are usually downpressure springs on the rollers to insure good contact for crushing clods. The H-Beam should be level with the ground. Adjust the top link as needed for this. Usually you can drive forward or reverse with this implement and it will work fine. If you are working with very hard soil you may have to start with a few passes with the pulverizer slightly raised to scratch and loosen the surface. Then drop down as the soil becomes more workable. It is not a one pass operation. You go over the area repeatedly to level and crush clods. After a few passes you will have a nice seedbed for sowing grass seed or installing sod.

Pulverizer
Operating and Attachments
Replies 3 Post by Jack in IL

Width is the more important factor. Resistance to sideways overturning is greatest with the rear and front wheels in the widest possible tread width positions. With a loader the rear wheels need ballast plus a significant weight on the 3 point (ballast box or VERY heavy implement) to achieve the proper weight distribution. For example, the operators manual for my JD loader calls for 360 pounds of weight on the rear wheels plus a minimum of 750 pounds in a ballast box. If you plan to use a belly mount mower, check in advance that you can set the front and rear wheels at max tread width with the mower installed. Some only accomodate the tires in the narrow positon. I would also recommend you get a slope meter if you are operating on hills. I have one mounted on the front edge of the canopy.

Flipping Tractors
Tractor Projects
Replies 33 Post by Jack in IL

A 4WD articulated turf tractor such as a Steiner or Ventrac needs duals on steep slopes to prevent sideways overturns, not to merely increase traction. Duals are not needed when driving straight up or straight down steep slopes. If you have a level area at the top and bottom in which to execute your turns, you will get along fine. However, if you need to turn while on a slope greater than about 20 degrees or drive across the slope face, duals make these tractors very secure against overturns. Under certain conditions the tractor with duals may slide, but it is very stable with regard to overturning. I operate in many areas where there is no level area on which to turn so I use duals all the time except when plowing snow.

Steiner and Ventrac Articulated 4WD Tractors
Articulated Tractors
Replies 44 Post by Jack in IL

The term "rockshaft" refers to the hydraulically driven shaft with arms rigidly attached to each end on a 3 point hitch. Lift links connect the rockshaft arms to the draft links to which the implement is attached. The top link in the middle connects the tractor to the implement mast to complete the linkage. When the hydraulic valve is actuated to lift the implement, the rockshaft rotates a portion of a full turn--usually around 90 degrees. Hence the term "rockshaft." The shaft rocks back and forth to lower or raise--it never makes a complete revolution.

Rocker arms in valve trains similarly "rock" back and forth.

Novice Question
Tractor Projects
Replies 8 Post by Jack in IL

Theo, Please explain what you mean by your point number 10. Thanks.

JD 4300 vs Cub Cadet 7305
John Deere Tractors
Replies 28 Post by Jack in IL

As of now, Deere does not offer additional valves beyond the joystick Dual SCV on the 4100. There is an accessory to provide rear hydraulic coupler outlets, but it is simply 2 pairs of hoses that go from the front ports used for the loader to the rear with outlets mounted under the right rear fender. Thus when using the rear couplers, the fronts cannot be simultaneously used for the loader.

JD4100 3rd and or 4 select valve
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Jack in IL

Bird. To see a picture of a soil pulverizer, go to www.woodsonline.com and look under landscaping tools. The Woods company now owns Gill. Gill is credited with inventing this implement so many people refer to them as a "Gill." Same kind of name association as referring to paper tissue as "Kleenex" or a landscape rake as a "York Rake." Several other companies including your old friends at BushHog now also make soil pulverizers.

help using boxscraper
Operating and Attachments
Replies 27 Post by Jack in IL

There is 1 differential for the front axle and 1 for the rear axle but none between the front and the rear of the tractor. Consider trying this experiment next time you have a chance. With all wheel drive engaged, depress BOTH brake pedals down together and then glance around at all of the wheels.

When does 4wd become less important with a utility tractor
Tractor Projects
Replies 21 Post by Jack in IL

The 4100 only is built to JD design specs by Yanmar in Japan. Very similar to a Yanmar model except for styling details plus dual pedal hydro control is unique to JD. Shipped to US with wheels off. Final minor assembly done in US.

JD4100
John Deere Tractors
Replies 2 Post by Jack in IL